Washington state cannabis retailer faces second suspension since 2016

A Washington state sting operation resulted in one marijuana dispensary having its license suspended for the second time since 2016.

An employee of Greenway Marijuana in Port Orchard sold marijuana pre-rolls to an 18-year-old woman who was helping conduct a compliance check for the state Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB), the Kitsap Sun reported. The legal age to buy marijuana in Washington is 21.

The newspaper obtained information about the sting through a public records request. The documents showed that the worker checked the woman’s ID, which listed a birthdate in 2000, but completed the sale anyway.

Greenway’s retail license will be suspended for 15 days beginning Oct. 11. The store will also pay a $2,500 fine for selling to a minor and $600 more for allowing a minor in a restricted area.

The store was also suspended for 10 days in 2016.

According to the newspaper, the LCB will revoke a retailer’s license if the licensee is caught selling to minors three times in a three-year period.

“My budtender identified the young woman immediately and requested to see her ID. She analyzed it for a minute and thought she was of age,” Greenway owner Michael Lyman wrote in an email to the Sun.

“We have every measure of prevention available to ensure complete compliance. However, human error is inevitable.”